Honest Old Abe and the Salem Grocery Trade
A Chicago Inter Ocean correspondent recalls Abraham Lincoln's early grocery venture at Salem. Lincoln bought with Berry from Ratford, clashed with the Clary Grove set, and salvaged about 1200 in stock after an owner’s inventory. The partnership collapsed, the note passed to Peters Van Buren, and Lincoln later repaid the debt with Berry. Lincoln later laughed at the misadventure and noted the bar business contrasted with his later career. The tale includes a Black Hawk War anecdote and a wrestling match with Sam Thompson, illustrating Lincoln's resilience.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chicago Inter-Ocean
Lincoln
Salem
Mr. Green
Berry
Ratford
Clary Grove
Iford
Alom
Carly
Bill
Father
Steve
Lizzie
Mother
Peter Vanbereen
Springfield
Whale
Kentucky
Lincon
Douglas
Intler
Abe
White House
Thompson
Rock Island
Lincoln and his father a hospitable, humorous visit recounted
The narrative recounts a long interview with Mr Green about Abraham Lincoln and his father. Lincoln's hospitality stands out as he hosts Green in a modest home, showing pride in a deer skin hanger and a deer skin corner. anecdotes include Lincoln not drinking liquor and a barrel challenge where he drinks from the bung hole to win a bet. The tale preserves personal, nongraphic recollections of Lincoln's character.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Lincoln
Kentucky
Abe
Mr. Green
Snap
Salem
Ree
Easter
Inter-Ocean
A Black White Family Dying Mother Of Thieves In Nickersonville
Mrs. Margaret Weis alias White, famed as matriarch of a burglary clan, lies dying in Nickersonville. Police hold vast stolen goods from her house with four sons and two daughters repetitively jailed. The clan’s methods tied wagon loads of loot to shoplifting runs, with several relatives in and out of reform schools, jails, and prisons. The piece notes their lawyer Mathew Marks and a courtroom incident involving his daughter.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chicago
Ocean
Margaret Weis
White
Nickersonville
Mother White
Bridewell
Reform School
George White
Joliet
Emma Reinsch
House of Correction
Adam
Kate Stokes
Wisconsin
Milwaukee House of Correction
Martin
Lizzie
Sorg
Claybourn Areshoe
Mathew Marks
Marks
Subterranean Palace of Enchantment Found by Miners
A party of New Mexican miners near Mesilla uncovered a downward tunnel leading to a cavern filled with stalactites and stalagmites and delicate stone columns. Flickering luminous grit spots and oval balls of light created an otherworldly scene, resembling legends of enchantment as they retraced their steps after their candle went out.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mesilla
Great Wright County Lake Puzzle Prompts Iowa Wonder Brand
Burlington Hawkeye reports a famed Walled Lake of Wright county twelve miles north of the Dubuque and Pacific line. The wall stands ten feet high and fifteen feet wide at the base, with massive stones from three tons to 160 pounds. The lake spans 2800 acres with depths up to twenty five feet. Water source and outflow remain unknown though the water stays clear and fresh despite storms in 1856. The wall is ringed by woodland, while the surrounding prairie is rolling. The mystery endures as to who built it and how the stones were brought to the site.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Burlington
Wright County
Shylock and Antonio case cited in Venice dispute
The article recounts a historic legal dispute over a bond between Shylock and Antonio. It details alleged irregularities, the tender of 6000 ducats, and the judge Bellario’s involvement, arguing on appeal that Shylock’s pound of flesh could be taken without bloodshed, with a possible city profit from confiscation. It also mentions the casting of a massive cylinder for an Old Colony steamship project.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Antonio
Venice
Shylock
Beliario
Bellario
Nellario
Rome
Balthasar
Padua
Balthacar
Kellario
Belmont
Betlario
Portia
Bassanio
Ellario
Lorenzo
Sweet Singer
Hellario
Gratiano
Largest steamship cylinder cast at Morgan Iron Works
The New York Sun reports the Morgan Iron Works successfully cast the world’s largest steamship cylinder, nearly fifty tons of molten iron poured into a vast mould. Spectators watched as roaring heat and showers of sparks filled the air and workers in tank and crane ladles moved the molten metal into place under Mr John Roach’s supervision.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Morgan Iron Works
New York Sun
John Roach
Croton
Mr. Roach
All on Account of Kate A Jealous Husband and a Doctor
Celia Logan relays a Philadelphia paper story about a jealous husband whose wife, a young actress, receives a letter from Dr Stanton promising to stay the night. The husband intrudes, finds nothing, but the wife reveals she is Dr Stanton, the letter’s author, exposing the ruse and roasting the jealous husband who must accept the joke and his role.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Celia Logan
Philadelphia
New York
K. S. Stanton
M. D
Dr. Stanton
Dia
Kate 8. Stanton
Kate Stanton
A Novel Duel Near Willow Ditch in Madison Parish
The report describes a singular duel between Joseph Richburg and Brewer in a swamp near Willow ditch, Madison parish Louisiana. Both men armed with double barreled shotguns faced off amid spectators, with Brewer wounded by buckshot and Richburg largely unharmed save for torn coat and breeches.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Vicksburg
Waverly
Madison Parish
Louisiana
Joseph Richburg
Richburg
Brewer
Ichburg
Willow Ditch
Pawpa Lake
Joe's Bayou
Wash
Willis
Miebourg
Old
A Season of Strikes on New York Surface Lines
The New York Herald reports an expected citywide rail strike season driven by surface railroad workers unhappy with long hours and low pay. Drivers and conductors from Fourth Avenue, Belt Line, Sixth and Eighth avenues, and other roads plan action around mid June, amid pay disputes and alleged abuses like clock and breast-punch fraud. The piece details wages, hours—often 15 to 18 hours a day—car counts, profits, and the company’s alleged mismanagement, while noting potential spillover from Dry Dock and Second Avenue roads.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New York Herald
Third Avenue
Anthony
Fourth Avenue Road
Belt Line
Sixth
Eighth Avenue Roads
Dry Dock
Second Avenue Roads
Dave
Mr. Bergh
Herald
Fourth Avenue
Pope
Vanderbilt
Eighth Avenue
Sixth Avenue
Thirtyfourth Street Ferry
Second Avenue
Drlvers
The Dimensions of Heaven Calculated by a Southern Journalist
A Charlottesville Jeffersonian piece explores Revelation 22 16 and a playful arithmetic of heavenly dimensions. It notes 12 000 furlongs as length width and height and teases room counts by cubed feet, world population, and centuries, ending with a claim of space for each person in a 16 by 16 by 16 room.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Charlottesville
Throne of God
Court of Heaven
Arsenic Replaces Yeast Powder in Cowboy Bread
Six cowboys near San Simon Arizona Territory used arsenic instead of yeast powder in bread. The poisoned dough caused near death and delirium before the riders reached town. Despite severe symptoms, the arsenic led to a hopeful recovery after several hours and whiskey celebrated salvation.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
San Simon
A. T
Female doctors ridiculed as a business venture
A St. Louis doctor factory has produced a dozen female physicians, provoking protest against turning female medical training into a business. The piece argues men would avoid female doctors, citing imagined intimate scenarios, discomfort with exams, and the belief that female practitioners would provoke weakness and health risks in male patients.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Pecky's Sun
St. Louis
Mve
Modern Courtship and a Falls on Street in Brooklyn Style
A collage of humorous misadventures and social scenes follows a man staggeringly desiring fame while hobbling down John RK street with a crick and a rag bound pack. A Brooklyn style dialogue on modern courtship contrasts with a San Francisco Post jab about neighbors and a postmistress family quip. A Galveston Recorder's Court scene shows Gabe Snodgrass defending his temper with a charging kick, and a Toronto lodging scandal ends with a couple asserting marriage authenticity after landlord suspicion.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
John RK
Free Press
Miami Avenue
Lyne
George Washington
Daniel Webster
Henry Clay
Greeley
Henry
Empress Regent of China Dies in Intrigue
The Eastern Empress, one of two elderly regents who ruled China for the young emperor, dies suddenly. Her death follows a controversial period of power plays by the two regents, who manipulated succession to keep control. A high official Wu Ko-tu opposed their actions and ended his life two years ago after long brooding over the misconduct.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mis’ Lipton
Miss Mradleigt
Mrs. Linton
China
West
Hsien Feng
Toso
Ruangsu
Eungebib
Board of Civil Office
Wu Ko-tu
Sensational dress at ball features Dumas fils proofs
London Figaro reports the Marquis de N plans a striking costume for his wife Marquise de N. The gown will display the proof sheets of a new comedy by Alexander Dumas fils, bought by the Marquis to amuse his wife. Critics and attendees expect a vivid spectacle and press attention.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
London Figaro
Mme. de B
Marquise de N
Alexander Dumas
Fils
Marquis de N
The
Oddest tramp on Central Pacific rides rails with crutches
A one legged tramp with both legs amputated navigated Central Pacific cars and even rode the brake-bar during a eastward pass. The Eureka Leader notes he acted as an expert road-beater and, with crutches, rode toward Wood River despite likely conductor refusals.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Central Pacific Railroad
Palisade
Central Pacific
Wood River
Also Mentioned on This Page
Old Abe
Abraham Lincoln
Menard County
Tlem
Band of
Marchant
Snombe
Dougfie Laghly
Tin
Sam Thompson
Bota
Thomsen
Linowlu
Iowa
Ernest Hargier
Puck
Commonwealth OF Wars New Trials
Old Colony Steam Boat Company
Kate
New York Street Railroad
Aheasons
Yeates
Heaven
Brooklyn Eagle
Frederick
Enouch
San Francisco Post
John Perkins
Battery Street
van Eet Avenue
Secret Society
Soison
Bell
Galveston News
Recorder's Court
Gabe Snodgrass
Galveston Avenue
Gabe
Matilda
Jedge
Jess
Dar
Court Street
Toronto Globe
Toronto
Parsons
Comstock
Carson
Virginia City
Paris
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!